Buddy Club is an after school, social skills program for children between the ages of 4-13 years. This program is designed to create the opportunity for positive peer interactions. Children who demonstrate the following challenges would benefit from our Buddy Club program:

• Limited responses to social approaches by others
• Inappropriate social interactions
• Overly friendly advances towards others
• Difficulty in developing friendships
• Excessive shyness

Buddy Club meets once per week at our innovative Clubhouse or venues in the community such as parks and other recreational centers. The children participate in small peer groups of 3 to 6 that are formed by age, gender and ability. These groups are given personalized attention by a team of pediatric occupational, physical and speech therapists. The children engage in 2 hours of fun-filled activities, which focus on specific social skills including:

• Greeting and sharing
• Cooperative and interactive play
• Making friends
• Participating in conversations
• Avoiding and resolving conflicts
• Taking turns

Parent collaboration and education is provided through weekly handouts, social stories and viewing of video clips from Buddy Club sessions. Our therapists also provide "coached" play dates with parents so as to produce the best results when the child is at play in the community. To place your child on our program's waiting list, please email buddyclub@ptnmail.org.